Information displaying device

ABSTRACT

An information displaying device of the type useful in charting various data embodying a plurality of elongated data displaying elements retained in place on a mounting frame by spring-loaded holding strips which grip the ends of the display elements, by individual springs carried by the display elements, or by flanges formed on the mounting frame. The device also includes indicator pegs received by rows of holes in the display elements, the holes being formed by piercing to leave annular flanges that grip the pegs but are not subject to the problem of shaving material from the pegs. A flexible cord is associated with each indicator peg and is rectractable when not in use into the space beneath the display elements; in one form of the device a spring mechanism is secured to the mounting frame to facilitate retracting of the cord.

United States Patent [72] Inventor George W. Wassell Westport, Conn. [21] Appl. No. 801,238 [22] Filed Feb. 10, I969 [45] Patented Jan. 19, 1971 [73] Assignee Wassell Organization, Inc.

Westport, Conn. a corporation of Delaware Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 499,157, Oct. 21, 1965, now abandoned.

[54] INFORMATION DISPLAYING DEVICE 21 Claims, 13 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S.Cl. 116/135, 35/24, 40/63.116/136 [51] Int. Cl. G09f 5/00 [50] Field ofSearch 116/130, 131, 135, 136; 35/24, 24.2, 24.4; 40/64, 63, 65, 124; 273/148, 1318A, 134FA, 136C, 137AD; 248/(Peg Digest); 85/13; 20/92; 29/(lnquired) [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,133,546 3/1915 Fitzgerald 273/131 519,130 5/1894 Ludington 116/136 Primary Examiner-Louis J. Capozi AttorneyBrumbaugh, Graves, Donohue & Raymond ABSTRACT: An information displaying device of the type useful in charting various data embodying a plurality of elongated data displaying elements retained in place on a mounting frame by spring-loaded holding strips which grip the ends of the display elements, by individual springs carried by the display elements, or by flanges formed on the mounting frame. The device also includes indicator pegs received by rows of holes in the display elements, the holes being formed by piercing to leave annular flanges that grip the pegs but are not subject to the problem of shaving material from the pegs. A flexible cord is associated with each indicator peg and is rectractable when not in use into the space beneath the display elements; in one form of the device a spring mechanism is secured to the mounting frame to facilitate retracting of the cord.

- PAFENTED JAN 1 9 IBTI- SHEET 1 [IF 6 INVENTOR. GEORGE W. WASSELL BY W his

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ATTORNEYS PATENIED JAN 19 ran sum 2 OF 6 INVENTOR. GEORGE W. WASSELL 4 $2M ATTORNEYS his PATENTEDJANIQIQTI. 35530147 I SHEET 3 OF 6 INVENTOR. EORGE W. WASSELL TTORNEYS PATENT EU JAN] 9|97| sum u BF 6 I88 FIG. 8

INVENTOR. GEORGE W. WASSELL BY! 2 I i I his ATTORNEYS f PATEN'TEU-JANI 9197:

SHEET 5 [IF 6 INVENTOR. GEORGE W. WASSELL MA M, LEPW his ATTORNEYS aouvo PATENTEU SHEET 6 6 INVENTOR- GEORGE w. WASSELL ATTORNEYS I BACKGROUND OF THE lNVENTlON This invention relates to information displaying devices and, more particularly, to information displaying devices having a novel and improved mounting arrangement for the information which facilitates removing and interchanging the information.

information displaying devices, which may take the form of a flat display board suitable for mounting on a wall or concentric cylindrical and semicylindrical display members in a console or the like, are frequently used to display and chart various data related to factory and commercial functions. For example, the progress of various factory production processes can be charted and certain important information relating to these operations posted in a readily available and observable form. in both the flat and cylindrical types of displaying devices, usually included are a visible card file, made up of overlapping, transparent card envelopes, and a chart made up by, for example, a plurality of side-by-side, horizontal item lines arrangedvertically one over the other, in the case of a board, and about the circumference in the case of cylindrical consoles. The item lines carry information indicators which can be moved along a coordinate against which the data is plotted. For example, the item lines may carry a plot of the output of various machines or the degree of completion of certain components in a factory operation, thus providing a chart of this or any other suitable information in an easily ascertainable form.

in many situations, it becomes necessary from time to time to rearrange the information charted on the displaying device. For example, when thedevice is used to display data relating to the status of the fabrication and assembly of components of a large machine, it is often useful to arrange the data vertically in descending order of importance, thus providing readily available information on a priority basis to assist in planning work schedules and personnel assignments. in addition, the completion of certain components may justify the removal of the chart information concerning such components. These and other reasons make it desirable that the item lines be readily rearranged.

One way of rearrangingthe information on the chart is simply to move all of the information indicators and, similarly, the written, posted designations relating to each item. This, however, can be a complicated and time-consuming task and can be a source of error. in some presently known types of data charts, the item lines are constituted by separate, individual elements, and it is usually possible to remove a given line element. is is nonetheless difficult to do so without causing other elements to become disarranged due to the absence of a particular one or group of item line elements Particularly in the case of display boards, the removal of one element often permits the elements above it to fall by gravity to take the place of the missing ones, thus creating a possibility of a mistake when rearrangement is completed and, in addition, making it difficult to insert a new item line element among those already in place on the chart.

in other applications of display devices, it is sometimes desirable to maintain the item lines in fixed blocks of a multiplicity of item lines and to revise the information displayed on the chart by shifting the blocks vertically or horizontally on the display board. Another useful arrangement comprises mounting the information indicators associated with the item lines on the mounting frame in fixed positions relative to the frame and providing a plurality of multiple item line elements which are adapted readily to be moved along, to be removed from and to be replaced on the frame for rearrangement of the information displayed. This is particularly useful where, for example, a continuous plot of data relating to certain items is maintained over an extended period of time and it is desired to display the data progressively in terms of a time factor or a job factor. Plots of this type typically are accomplished in the aforementioned presently known display devices by repositioning the item line elements with respect to each other and then replotting the coordinate location of the individual item line indicators, :1 laborious sequence of operations which can result in the introduction of error into the chart.

Another problem with presently known information dis playing devices relates to the form of the indicators carried by the item line elements. One type of a commonly used indicator is an elastic string which is stretched out across the face of the item line elements and which is provided with a peg for fixing the end of the string in a predetermined place indicative of the information being charted. Often, the indicator elements are, desirably, made of thin stamped metal having holes punched out for receiving the pegs. in this form, thepegs are quickly loosened in the holes because the sharp edges bite into the pegs and may even cut away material. When this happens. the pegs can readily pull out of the holes and usually have to be replaced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION a novel and improved data chart construction which facilitates interchanging and repositioning of the item line elements and having item line elements of improved structure. More particularly, the device of the invention comprises a mounting frame carrying a plurality of item lineelements which are disposed parallel to each other and receive information indicators. One or a plurality of item lines may be provided on a single item line element, with the information indicators being carried, alternatively, by the elements or by a separate member comprising a portion of the mounting frame. Desirably, the information indicators include flexible members retractable into the space beneath the item line elements. A spring member secured to the mounting frame may be provided for each indicator to facilitate retracting of the associated flexible member.

The mounting frame is provided with a pair of spaced-apart, parallel retaining members for holding the item line elements in predetermined positions in the frame. The item line elements may be resiliently urged singly or as a group toward one of the retaining members to move their opposite ends into holding engagement with that retaining member. in one form of the device, a supplementary holding arrangement is provided for preventing the lateral shifting of the item line elements by the forces acting on them due to gravity but permitting lateral shifting by forces substantially in excess of the forces due to gravity. Preferably, the supplemental holding arrangement consists of strips of magnetic material held on the mounting frame and in turn holding the item line elements in place thereon.

The mounting frame may be in the form of a flat sheet or casing for use in a display board or individually as a separate display device, or it may be in the form of a cylinder or partial cylinder for use in a console-type display device. in one form, the item line elements are readily removable by pressing them to one side and pulling the other end upwardly. The removal of one or more item line elements from the mounting frame does not, however, permit others to move into the place previously occupied by them. On the contrary, the resilient holding members or the magnetic strips hold all of the item lines in their predetermined positions, regardless of the removal of one or even large groups of other item line elements. Thus, removal of given item line elements and replacement by others can be readily and quickly accomplished.

in addition to the advantage of being readily removable and replaceable, it is an equally important feature of the displaying device of the invention that the item line elements are retained in position only by a limited force, specifically, either the resilient holding force or the magnetic force of the magnetic strips. This force is kept relatively small, thus permitting given ones or groups of the item elements to be slid along the mounting frame into new positions. For example, if it is desired to move one item element from a lower place on a display board to a place near the top, that item line element can be removed, those above it slid downwardly as a group, and the removed element replaced in the desired position. During this procedure, all other elements on the board remain in their desired positions.

As another feature of the invention, a pair of guides is positioned adjacent the top and bottom of the mounting frame for receiving movable slides of improved structure having a datum wire extending therebetween. The improved structure of the slides permits rapid removal of the datum wire from the display chart when this is necessary for plotting purposes or for rearrangement of the information displayed and, in addition, facilitates movement of the datum wire along the guides so that it may be positioned at a particular point in time or progress shown by the data displayed on the chart beneath the wire. By utilizing an elastic string as the datum wire and by providing a projecting lip, which cooperates with an inwardly extending flange on the corresponding guide, on the outer side of each slide, the slides are readily inserted into the guides and are retained in position once inserted by the tension of the elastic datum wire.

The item line elements in the displaying device are preferably made of sheet metal and have front or outer walls having rows of holes for receiving indicator pegs. Rather than being punched, as is the conventional practice, the holes are formed by piercing, preferably without removing any material, so as to form a downwardly extending, peripheral flange around each hole. The flanges engage a relatively broad area of the pegs and eliminate the problem encountered heretofore of wearing of the pegs at the place where they are engaged by the sharp edges of punched holes. Moreover. the pegs are more flrmly retained in the holes and are unlikely to slip out.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of the invention, reference may be made to the following description of exemplary embodiments, taken in conjunction with the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. I is a plan view of a complete board type of displaying device. a section of the board being broken away to eliminate unwarranted duplication of illustration;

FIG. 2 is an end view in section ofthe display board of FIG. 1, taken generally along a plane represented by the line 2-2 and in the direction of the arrows and on an enlarged scale relative to FIG. 1',

FIG. 3 is a plan view, on a larger scale than FIG. 1, of a mounting frame which carries the item line elements on the display board;

FIG. 4 is an end view in section, on a larger scale than FIG. 3, of the item line element frame, the section being taken along a plane represented generally by the line 4-4 and in the direction of the arrows and portions being broken away to avoid unnecessary repetition;

FIG. 5 is a pictorial view of an item line element for the device, portions being broken away;

FIG. 6 is a view in section of the item line element of FIG. 5 taken generally along the center line of the element, as represented by line 6-6 of FIG. 5, in the direction of the arrows, and on a relatively larger scale than FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a segment of dies suitable for piercing the peg-retaining holes of the item line elements;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a frame which carries multiple item line elements on the display board, portions being broken away for clarity and to avoid unnecessary repetition;

FIG. 9 is an end view in section. on a larger scale than FIG. 8, taken along the line 9-9 and looking in the direction of the arrows, portions being broken away for clarity;

FIG. 10 is a pictorial view of the datum wire and datum wire slides for the device;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of another embodiment ofa complete board type of display device showing one arrangement of the multiple item line elements in position on the board, with sections of the board being broken away to avoid unnecessary duplication of parts;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of the displaying device of FIG. 11, showing a second arrangement of multiple item line elements in position on the board, a section of the board being broken away to eliminate unnecessary duplication of parts; and

FIG. 13 is an end view in section, on a larger scale than FIG. 12, taken along the line 12-12 and looking in the direction of the arrows, with parts broken away for clarity of illustration.

DESCRIPTION OF AN EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the information displaying device includes a display board which, in the embodiment illustrated there, is flat and rectangular and consists of a fiberboard base 10 carried in a metal frame 12. It will be understood, however, that the display board may take the form ofa cylinder or partial cylinder for use in a console-type information displaying device.

Removably mounted at the left side (with respect to FIG. I) of the display board by means ofa hinged bracket 14 secured to the base 10 is a visible card file which consists ofa frame 16 carrying a vertically arranged series of transparent plastic pockets or envelopes 17. Information in card form is kept in each of these pockets, the lower portions of each card being visible from in front of the board. Any suitable type of visible file can be used, the visible card flle forming no part of the present invention.

At the top of the board and extending across the major portion of its length is a mounting strip 18 for affixing notices, labels, legends or the like. The mounting strip 18 consists of a back portion 20 secured by screws 22 to the board base 10 and a front portion 24 which has a turned-back flange 26 for receiving the edge of a card or cards, thereby enabling title blocks, legends or explanatory material to be readily inserted and held in place. The lower edge of the front member 24 of the strip 18 also serves as an overhang for retaining chart frames, as will be described below.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 3 and 4, the data chart information is carried by two identical rectangular mounting frames 30 which are removably installed on the display board side by side below the strip 18. The frames 30 desirably are made up from a rectangular sheet steel blank which is notched at the corners; the edge portions are then turned upwardly, and also inwardly, to form peripheral walls 32 upstanding from the base 34 and flanges 36 extending inwardly from the tops of the walls. Secured to the lower flange 36a is a handle 38 which facilitates removal of the frame from the mounting board. If desired, the mounting frame could comprise a casing formed from U-shaped channel members or the like.

The item line element frames are installed on the mounting board 10 by pushing their upper edges up under the flange 26 of the strip 20 so that their lower edges clear the lower member of the frame 10, and then dropping them down to position their lower edges behind an overhanging flange on the frame 12. Removal is readily accomplished by the reverse of the sequence described above, the handle 38 facilitating removal and handling of the frame. When the frames are in place, their upper edges are held by the flange 26, as shown in FIG. 2. It will be understood, of course, that the frames can be used individually as separate display devices and that their disclosure in FIG. 1 in combination with the display board is merely for illustrative purposes.

Installed along the left side of the' frame, with respect to FIG. 3, is a holding strip 40 which is generally L-shaped in cross section and has springs 42 attached to the upright leg 40a. The pressing strip 40 is slidable transversely in the frame and is normally in a position spaced a relatively large distance from the wall 32b of the frame.

The frame receives a plurality of individual item line elements 44, representative ones of which are illustrated in FIG. 3. Normally, the entire frame will be filled up with item line elements in abutting relation. The item line elements are inserted, one by one, by engaging their left edges, with respect to the view thereof in FIG. 4, against the upright portion a of the holding strip 40, pushing them to the left, bringing the right ends clear of the right flange 36c, dropping the right end downwardly toward the base 24 ofthe'frame, and then releasing to permit the right end to bear against the wall 32c at the urging of the springs 42.

The force provided by the springs is sufficient to hold the item line elements in position in the frame in the lateral direction. However, because the item line elements may vary slightly in length, and because the holding strip is moved out of engagement with them whenever an item line element is removed or installed, supplemental holding means is provided in the formof two spaced-apart strips of magnetic material. A preferred type df'material for thestrips 45 consists of magnetic particles in an elastomer matrix. The magneticstrips are held, solely by magnetic force, to thersteel base 34 of the frame and, in turn, hold the item line elements, which are also made of a ferrous-containing metal, such as steel, in place in the frame 30. i t r I in use, the item line elements may be removed and replaced in another location by pressing the one to be removed to the left, thereby moving the pressing strip 40 to the left and permitting the right edge of the element to be lifted clear of the right-hand retaining flange. 36c. Thereafter, the item line element is, of course, easily pulled out of place. The other item line elements on the board are, during removal or insertion of one or groups of elements, retained firmlyin place on the board by the magnetic strips 45. in particular, it is to be noted that the removal of given item line elements necessarily involves removing the holding strip 40 from engagement with the other elements, but the supplemental magnetic item line retaining strips hold the other elements in place. Similarly, all of the item line elements are retained in proper position even though irregularities in the lengths may prevent some of them from being securely held in place by the holding strip 40.

Thus, the magnetic strips 45 hold the item line elements in position while given ones or groups are missing from the board, or are being removed or replaced; but it is equally important that they permit the item line elements to be slid upwardly or downwardly into places previously occupied by others or into blank spaces in the frame. in particular. the item line elements can be movedby linear translation in the vertical direction by hand, making it unnecessary to remove completely the elements from the board to place them in different positions, as is the case with the item line members in many known information displaying devices. Thus, the provisionof magnetic holding strips or an equivalent magnetic holding arrangement constitutes an important feature of the present invention.

Referring next to FIGS. 5 to 7, the item line elements 44 are made of sheet steel, preferably by bending a flat strip over suitable form members to form a generally U-shaped member, that is, a channel having parallel flanges 46 of equal width and a web 48.

in addition to being'capable of being manufactured at low cost, the item line elements provide an advantageous cooperation with the magnetic strips, in that they present relatively small areas of contact, specifically, short lengths along the edges of the flanges. withthe magnetic strips. This limits the force holding them to the magnetic strips and the frictional resistance to sliding and thus facilitates moving them in the frame.

Formed in the web48-of the item line elements 44 are two rows of holes 49 for receiving pegs 50 attached to the ends of elastic strings 52 which serve is indicators of the information to be charted. The strings 52 are attached by means of tabs '54 guide for the string on the web, and through an opening to the top of the web. The strings 52 can be stretched along the upper or outer surface of the item line elements 44 to locate the peg at any position in the row indicative of a given piece of information and the peg inserted in the hole at the location.

Referring to FIG. 7, the holes 49 in the indicator elements which hold the pegs 50 are formed by piercing with pins 60 on a die member 62. The points on the pins 60 pierce the web 48 of the item line element and form downwardly extending annular flanges 64 around the holes 49 by pressing the web material into holes in a female die member 66. Preferably, the piercing is performed without removing any material from the web 48.

The pin portions 68 of the pegs 50, which are received in the holes 49, are slightly tapered to a rounded lower point 70 and are flared at their upper ends so that they conform to the curvature of the portions of the flanges 64 surrounding the holes 49. Accordingly, a substantial part of the upper portions of the pins 68 engage the flanges, thus preventing wearing of the pin. Moreover, the pins are securely held in the holes and are unlikely to pull out of them.

in FIG. 8 isshown a rectangular frame 130, of similar construction to the frame 30 except that the holding strip 40 and springs 42 are omitted, for receiving a plurality of multiple item line display elements 144 in vertically abutting relation. Each of the display elements 144 is individually retained in position in the frame 130 by engagement with the frame of a wire spring 142 carried at one end of the display element. One or more of the frames 130 can be positioned on the mounting board of FIG. 1 in place of the frames 30 shown thereon, or they'can be used individually as separate units.

The elements 144 are inserted in the frame 130 in the same way as the individual item line elements 44 in the abovecompress it and allow the opposite end of the elements 144 to 40 clear theflange 136s at the other end of the frame so that the described embodiment are inserted in the frame 30, Le, by

elements can be dropped below the flange 136s and brought ments on the board is therefore greatly facilitated.

Referring now to FlGS. 8 and 9, the elements 144 are generally of the same structure as the individual item line elements 44 and include in their outer walls 148 a plurality of paired rows of holes 149, for receiving indicator pegs 150, thus representing on a single display element a plurality of item lines. Although in the embodiment of HO. 8 ten item lines are represented on each element 144, it will be appreciated that any convenient number of item lines can be included on a single element. The holes 149 are, of course, formed in the same manner as the holes 49 in the individual item line elements 44 so asto cooperate with the pin portions 168 of the indicator pegs 150 to hold the pins securely in the holes and to prevent wearing of the pins. Elastic strings 152 are attached at one end to the indicator, pegs 150, pass over the guides 156 and extend under the outer wall to the right-hand ends, as viewed in FIG. 9, of the elements 144 where they are secured by tabs 154.

. Using the multiple item line display elements 144, blocks of closely related data can be posted and thereafter moved in a position on the display board or within a frame 130 as a single unit or as afew separate units. Thus in situations where the information being charted can be advantageously grouped into fixed blocks of item lines, the multiple item line form of the 75 display elements is. especially useful.

into unoccupied positions. Rearrangement of the display ele- Referring in particular to FIGS. 8 and 10. a datum wire assembly for indicating any predetermined point in time or progress shown by the data posted includes an elastic string 180 stretched between the upstanding flanges 182 of a pair of slides 184 and 186. which are slidably received by spacedapart generally U-shaped parallel guides 188 disposed along the top and bottom of the frame 130. Projecting lips 190 and 192 are formed along the outer edges of the slides 184 and 186, respectively, and are received beneath inwardly extending flanges 194 on the outer edges of the guides. Once positioned in the guides, the slides are held in place by the elastic string 180 which urges the upstanding flanges 182 toward each other, thereby rotating the slides about their heels 193 and 195 and causing the lips 190 and 192 to bear against the flanges 194. The holding force of the string 180 is. however, light enough to permit the slides 184 and 196 to be readily moved along the guides 188 so that the datum wire may be set at any particular point along the coordinate extent of the display elements. Of course, the elastic string 180 is attached to the upstanding flanges 182 at a height above the chart surface such that it will clear the indicator pegs 150 upon being slid along the surface.

In FIGS. 11 and 12 another embodiment of an information displaying device according to the invention has the same general organization as the display board of FIG. 1. including visible file envelopes 217. a legend mounting strip 218 and a plurality of information carrying display elements 244 retained in mounting frames 230. In addition. it includes a pair of parallel datum wire guides 288 disposed in fixed position along the top and bottom boundaries of the display element receiving area and a retaining member 300 extending along the left side (as viewed in FIGS. 12 and 13) of the element receiving area for holding the information pegs 250 and the flexible strings 252, which in this embodiment may be either elastic or nonelastic. in predetermined positions relative to the mounting frame. The datum wire guides 288 extend the full length of the element receiving area so that the datum wire 280 can be placed in overlying relation to any coordinate position in the chart. It will be understood that the components of the data wire assembly are identical in structure with those of FIGS. 8 and 10.

Referring particularly to FIG. 13, the retaining member 300 is made of sheet metal and preferably comprises a generally U- shaped member having a web 302 and parallel flanges 304 and 306 of unequal width. The longer flange 304 is bent outwards at its lower end to form a lip 308 which rests against, and may be secured to, the base 210 of the mounting member. Desirably. the retaining member 300 is attached at its upper and lower ends to the metal frame 212 or to suitable cross members (not shown).

Although the retaining member 300 and the guides 288 are illustrated in FIGS. 11 to 13 as fixed parts of the display board. it will be understood that they can be integrated into the frames 230 so as to provide a separate display frame similar to that of FIG. 8, except of course that the indicator pegs and flexible strings are carried by the frame in the manner shown in FIG. 13. Such a frame can be used by itself independently of any other frames or of a larger display board and therefore can comprise a separate display chart. On the other hand. it can also be installed in a display board of the type shown in FIG. 1 to provide a chart having a multiplicity of multiple item line elements which are both movable and removable either individually or in sets.

Two vertically extending parallel rows of pierced holes 310 are formed in the web 302 of the retaining member, the holes being positioned so that one hole of each row is in alignment with the same row of holes 249 in the display elements 244. The outermost holes 310, with respect to the display elements 244, serve as guides for the passage of the strings 252 through the web 302 and the inwardmost holes 310 serve as storage positions for the pegs 250 when the pegs are withdrawn from the elements 244. Preferably, the holes 310 are pierced in the same manner as the holes 249 in the display element so that no appreciable wear is caused to either the strings 252 or the indicator pegs 250 as a result of their contact with the flanges of the holes.

The short flange 306 of the retaining member 300 terminates above the surface of the base 210 (see FIG. 13) to allow passage of the strings 252 beneath the end of the flange and into the space between the base 210 and the overlying elements 244. Within this space are disposed a plurality of springs 312, preferably one for each string 252, having an eyelet 314 at one end for receiving the strings 252 and being attached to the base 210 at the other end through the clip 316 and fastener 318. At their ends opposite the indicator pegs 250, the strings 252 are attached to the flange 306. extend beneath the elements 244 toward the spring 312, pass through the eyelet 314 and extend in the reverse direction along the base 210 toward the retaining member 300, where they pass through the associated outer hole 310 and are connected to the indicator pegs. Upon movement of an indicator peg 250 along a row of holes 249 in the elements 244. therefore, the string 252 is pulled through the hole 310 against the tension of the spring 312 and is automatically retracted into the space beneath the elements 244 by the spring when the peg is returned to the stored position in the retaining member 300. This arrangement of a spring-retract mechanism secured to the base of the mounting board beneath the display elements enables the panels to be constructed inexpensively and in a simple form, while permitting rapid plotting of data on the board and easy rearrangement of the display elements carrying the data.

The display elements 244 may be any convenient size, and may be elongated horizontally, as shown in FIG. 11, or vertically, as shown in FIG. 12, to suit the requirements of a given application. For example, the individual elements 244 in the board arrangement of FIG. 11 have 20 holes, i.e., 10 item lines, in the vertical direction and 65 holes in the coordinate direction and may be mounted in the frames 230 in vertically arranged stacks. A display format is thereby provided which is particularly adapted to plot small incremental changes in data and to allow rearrangement of the coordinate position of the display elements without necessitating replotting of the indicator pegs for the individual item lines. On the other hand, the arrangement of FIG. 12, having 200 holes (I00 item lines) vertically and 20 holes in the coordinate direction per element, is especially suited to chart data progressively in terms of a time factor or a job factor of short duration. By removing each element, or a frame of elements, from the mounting board as the data progresses past it, sliding the remaining elements to the left (with respect to FIG. 12), and replacing the removed element on the mounting board to the right of the foremost indicator peg, a chart of the progress of the data can be maintained continuously.

To facilitate installation, the display elements 244 may each be provided at one end with a spring member (not shown) of the same general construction as the spring member 142 of the elements 144, see FIG. 9. The elements 244 are thus firmly retained in position on the mounting frame against accidental displacement but are readily slid to new positions along the frame to permit rearrangement of the data, where frequent moving of the elements 244 is not contemplated, the spring members may be omitted and the elements simply slid beneath suitable flange structure on the mounting frame.

It will be understood that the above-described embodiments of the invention are merely exemplary and that many variations and modifications of them may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Iclaim:

1. An information displaying device comprising a mounting frame having a pair of spaced-apart parallel retaining members thereon, at least one information display element extending between the retaining members and adapted to carry an information indicator peg thereon, each display element having an outer wall remote from the mounting frame of thin metal and at least one row of spaced-apart pierced holes in the said outer wall toreceive the indicator peg, means associated with each hole for receiving the peg in snug engagement and for preventing shaving of material from the peg upon insertion or removal of the peg from-the hole, said means including an annular peripheral flange extending about the periphery of each hole, with each flange being integral with the outer wall of the display element and depending therefrom in a direction rearwardly of the outer wall along a generally convex line of curvature to form a rearwardly convergent-outwardly flaring surface for engaging a corresponding surface of the peg for removably securing the peg in the display element.

2. An information displaying device according to claim 1 wherein the flanges surrounding the peg holes are constituted by substantially all of the material'ofthe wall previously occupying the plane of the wall, the holes being pierced without removing any substantial quantity of the material from the said wall.

3. An information displaying device according to claim 1 including an indicator peg retaining member carried by the mounting frame adjacent oneend of the display element and extending transversely to the row of holes in the display element, the indicator peg retaining member having an outer wall remote from the mountingmember and at least one hole-in the said outer wall to receive the indicator peg when the peg is withdrawn from the said row of holes, whereby the display ele ment is removable from the frame separate from the indicator peg.

4. An information displaying device according to claim 3 in which each display element has in its outer wall a plurality of parallel rows of spaced apart pierced holes, each adapted to receive an indicator peg, and the indicator peg retaining member has in its outer wall a first row of pierced holes, each aligned with a row of holes in the display element.

5. An information displaying device according to claim 4 in which a second row of holes is provided in the outer wall of the indicator peg retaining member parallel to the first row of holes, each of the holes in the said second row of holes also being aligned with a row of holes in the display element, and in which a flexible member is attached to each indicator peg and passes through the corresponding one of the holes of the said second row of holes. V

6. An information displaying device according to claim 5 including spring means carried by the mounting frame and engageable with each flexible member for withdrawing itinto the space between the mounting frame and the display element upon removal of the indicator peg from the row of pierced holes in the display element.

7. An information display device according to claim 1 including a pair of spaced-apart guides carried by the mounting frame and extending lengthwise of the row of holes in the display element. each guide comprising an elongated member having at the side thereof farthest from the display element an upstanding portion having a flanged portion extending toward the display element, a slide received in each guide for movement therealong and including on the side thereof farthest from the display element a projecting lip adapted to be received beneath the flange portion of the corresponding guide, and an elastic memberextending between the slides and adapted upon selective movement of the slides to be aligned with a selected one of the holes in the display element. the elastic member resiliently urging the slides towards each other so that the slides are held in fixed position relative to the guides by engagement of the projecting lips thereof with the flange portions of the corresponding guides.

8. An information displaying device according to claim 1 including means positioned between at least one of the parallel retaining members and the corresponding end of the display element for resiliently urging the display element toward the other parallel retaining member to establish an engaging force holding the display element on the mounting frame.

9. An information displaying device according to claim 8 wherein the means for resiliently urging the display element toward the other retaining member comprises a spring member carried by the said corresponding end of the display element and adapted resiliently to engage the said one retaina ing member.

10. An information displaying device according to claim 8 wherein the means for resiliently urging the display element toward the other retaining member comprises a holding member disposed between the corresponding end of the display element and the said one of the retaining members and resilient means urging the holding member into engagement with the said corresponding end of the display element and urging the opposite end thereof into engagement with the other retaining member.

11. An information displaying device according to claim l0 including means supplementing the urging means for preventing sideways shifting of the display element by gravity forces acting thereon and permitting sideways shifting of the display element by forces substantially in excess of the gravity forces thereon.

12. An information displaying device according to claim 8 wherein an elastic member is attached at one end to each peg and passes through an opening located in the outer wall each display element adjacent one end of the row of pierced holes. the peg being movable along the row of holes and the elastic member being adapted to move along with the peg, each display element having at the edge of the said opening adjacent the said one of the row of pierced holes a curvilinear member defining a guide for the elastic member, the curvilinear member being integral with the outer wall and depending therefrom and being engageable with the surface of the elastic member for permitting free movement of the elastic member through the outer wall;

13. An information displaying device comprising a member having an outer display wall portion of thin metal, the wall portion having at least one row of spaced-apart pierced holes therein, and at least one indicator peg receivable in a selected one of the holes, means associated with each hole for receiving the peg in snug engagement and for preventing shaving of material from the peg upon insertion or removal of the peg from the hole, said means including an annular peripheral flange extending about the periphery of each hole, with each flange being integral with the outer wall portion and depending therefrom in a direction rearwardly of the outer wall along a generally convex line of curvature to form a rearwardly convergent-outwardly flaring surface for engaging a corresponding surface of the peg for removably securing it on the member.

14. An information displaying device comprising a mounting frame having a base, a pair of spaced-apart parallel retaining members carried by the mounting frame, the retaining members including portions upstanding from the base member and flange portions on the upstanding portions extending inwardly toward each other, at least one display element extending between the retaining members and adapted to carry at least one information indicator thereon. and means positioned between at least one of the retaining members and the corresponding end of the display element for resiliently urging the opposite end thereof into engagement with the other retaining member, the display element being of a length intermediate the distance between the upstanding portions of the. retaining members and the distance between the inner edges of the flanges of the retaining members, and being receivable between the retaining members with the said opposite end being held under the flange portion of the said other retaining member.

15. An information displaying device according to claim 14 wherein the said corresponding end of the display element extends under and is held by the flange portion of the said one retaining member.

16. An information displaying device according to claim 14 whereina plurality of individual item line display elements are disposed parallel to each other and lengthwise between the retaining members and carry information indicators thereon.

17. An information displaying device according to claim 16 comprising means supplementing the urging means for preventing sideways shifting of the item line elements by gravity forces acting thereon and permitting sideways shifting of the item line elements by forces substantially in excess of the gravity forces thereon.

18. An information displaying device according to claim 17 wherein the base of the mounting frame and the item line elements are made of ferromagnetic materials and the supplemental holding means is magnetic and includes spaced-apart strips extending transversely to the plurality of item line elements and consisting essentially of magnetic particles in a matrix of a nonmagnetic material, the strips being'gretained on the mounting frame base and retaining the item line elements thereon solely by magnetic force.

19. An information displaying device according to claim 14 wherein the display element includes an outer wall of thin metal remote from the mounting frame, the outer; wall having at least one row of spaced-apart pierced holes therein. and an indicator element carried by the display element and including a peg receivable in the holes. the holes being defined by annular flanges about the periphery thereof, being integral with the said outer wall and being engageable with the surfaces of the peg for removably securing it in the item line element.

20. An information displaying device according to claim 19 wherein the flanges surrounding the peg holes are constituted by substantially all of the material of the wall previously occupying the plane of the wall, the holes being pierced without removing any substantial quantity of the material from the said wall.

21. An information displaying device according to claim 20 wherein the means for resiliently urging the display element toward the other retaining member comprises a spring member carried by the said corresponding end of the display element and adapted resiliently to engage the said one retaining member when the display element is received between the retaining members.

mg UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3:55 Dated Jan. 19, 1971 Inventor(s) George ell It is certified that: error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent: are hereby corrected as shown below:

Col. 1 line 27, after "carry" insert --mova.b1e--;

Col. 1 line 6, after "elements" insert a. period (.)5

Col. 5, line 71, "is" should read --as--; and

Col. 6 line 17, "adjacent" should read --a.bsence--.

Signed and sealed this 11 th day of May 1971 (SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETGHER,JR WILLIAM E. SCHUYLER, Attesting Officer Commissionerof Pate] 

1. An information displaying device comprising a mounting frame having a pair of spaced-apart parallel retaining members thereon, at least one information display element extending between the retaining members and adapted to carry an information indicator peg thereon, each display element having an outer wall remote from the mounting frame of thin metal and at least one row of spaced-apart pierced holes in the said outer wall to receive the indicator peg, means associated with each hole for receiving the peg in snug engagement and for preventing shaving of material from the peg upon insertion or removal of the peg from the hole, said means including an annular peripheral flange extending about the periphery of each hole, with each flange being integral with the outer wall of the display element and depending therefrom in a direction rearwardly of the Outer wall along a generally convex line of curvature to form a rearwardly convergent-outwardly flaring surface for engaging a corresponding surface of the peg for removably securing the peg in the display element.
 2. An information displaying device according to claim 1 wherein the flanges surrounding the peg holes are constituted by substantially all of the material of the wall previously occupying the plane of the wall, the holes being pierced without removing any substantial quantity of the material from the said wall.
 3. An information displaying device according to claim 1 including an indicator peg retaining member carried by the mounting frame adjacent one end of the display element and extending transversely to the row of holes in the display element, the indicator peg retaining member having an outer wall remote from the mounting member and at least one hole in the said outer wall to receive the indicator peg when the peg is withdrawn from the said row of holes, whereby the display element is removable from the frame separate from the indicator peg.
 4. An information displaying device according to claim 3 in which each display element has in its outer wall a plurality of parallel rows of spaced apart pierced holes, each adapted to receive an indicator peg, and the indicator peg retaining member has in its outer wall a first row of pierced holes, each aligned with a row of holes in the display element.
 5. An information displaying device according to claim 4 in which a second row of holes is provided in the outer wall of the indicator peg retaining member parallel to the first row of holes, each of the holes in the said second row of holes also being aligned with a row of holes in the display element, and in which a flexible member is attached to each indicator peg and passes through the corresponding one of the holes of the said second row of holes.
 6. An information displaying device according to claim 5 including spring means carried by the mounting frame and engageable with each flexible member for withdrawing it into the space between the mounting frame and the display element upon removal of the indicator peg from the row of pierced holes in the display element.
 7. An information display device according to claim 1 including a pair of spaced-apart guides carried by the mounting frame and extending lengthwise of the row of holes in the display element, each guide comprising an elongated member having at the side thereof farthest from the display element an upstanding portion having a flanged portion extending toward the display element, a slide received in each guide for movement therealong and including on the side thereof farthest from the display element a projecting lip adapted to be received beneath the flange portion of the corresponding guide, and an elastic member extending between the slides and adapted upon selective movement of the slides to be aligned with a selected one of the holes in the display element, the elastic member resiliently urging the slides towards each other so that the slides are held in fixed position relative to the guides by engagement of the projecting lips thereof with the flange portions of the corresponding guides.
 8. An information displaying device according to claim 1 including means positioned between at least one of the parallel retaining members and the corresponding end of the display element for resiliently urging the display element toward the other parallel retaining member to establish an engaging force holding the display element on the mounting frame.
 9. An information displaying device according to claim 8 wherein the means for resiliently urging the display element toward the other retaining member comprises a spring member carried by the said corresponding end of the display element and adapted resiliently to engage the said one retaining member.
 10. An information displaying device according to claim 8 wherein the means for resiliently urging the display element toward the oTher retaining member comprises a holding member disposed between the corresponding end of the display element and the said one of the retaining members and resilient means urging the holding member into engagement with the said corresponding end of the display element and urging the opposite end thereof into engagement with the other retaining member.
 11. An information displaying device according to claim 10 including means supplementing the urging means for preventing sideways shifting of the display element by gravity forces acting thereon and permitting sideways shifting of the display element by forces substantially in excess of the gravity forces thereon.
 12. An information displaying device according to claim 8 wherein an elastic member is attached at one end to each peg and passes through an opening located in the outer wall each display element adjacent one end of the row of pierced holes, the peg being movable along the row of holes and the elastic member being adapted to move along with the peg, each display element having at the edge of the said opening adjacent the said one of the row of pierced holes a curvilinear member defining a guide for the elastic member, the curvilinear member being integral with the outer wall and depending therefrom and being engageable with the surface of the elastic member for permitting free movement of the elastic member through the outer wall.
 13. An information displaying device comprising a member having an outer display wall portion of thin metal, the wall portion having at least one row of spaced-apart pierced holes therein, and at least one indicator peg receivable in a selected one of the holes, means associated with each hole for receiving the peg in snug engagement and for preventing shaving of material from the peg upon insertion or removal of the peg from the hole, said means including an annular peripheral flange extending about the periphery of each hole, with each flange being integral with the outer wall portion and depending therefrom in a direction rearwardly of the outer wall along a generally convex line of curvature to form a rearwardly convergent-outwardly flaring surface for engaging a corresponding surface of the peg for removably securing it on the member.
 14. An information displaying device comprising a mounting frame having a base, a pair of spaced-apart parallel retaining members carried by the mounting frame, the retaining members including portions upstanding from the base member and flange portions on the upstanding portions extending inwardly toward each other, at least one display element extending between the retaining members and adapted to carry at least one information indicator thereon, and means positioned between at least one of the retaining members and the corresponding end of the display element for resiliently urging the opposite end thereof into engagement with the other retaining member, the display element being of a length intermediate the distance between the upstanding portions of the retaining members and the distance between the inner edges of the flanges of the retaining members, and being receivable between the retaining members with the said opposite end being held under the flange portion of the said other retaining member.
 15. An information displaying device according to claim 14 wherein the said corresponding end of the display element extends under and is held by the flange portion of the said one retaining member.
 16. An information displaying device according to claim 14 wherein a plurality of individual item line display elements are disposed parallel to each other and lengthwise between the retaining members and carry information indicators thereon.
 17. An information displaying device according to claim 16 comprising means supplementing the urging means for preventing sideways shifting of the item line elements by gravity forces acting thereon and permitting sideways shifting of the item line elements by forces substantially in excess of the gravity forCes thereon.
 18. An information displaying device according to claim 17 wherein the base of the mounting frame and the item line elements are made of ferromagnetic materials and the supplemental holding means is magnetic and includes spaced-apart strips extending transversely to the plurality of item line elements and consisting essentially of magnetic particles in a matrix of a nonmagnetic material, the strips being retained on the mounting frame base and retaining the item line elements thereon solely by magnetic force.
 19. An information displaying device according to claim 14 wherein the display element includes an outer wall of thin metal remote from the mounting frame, the outer wall having at least one row of spaced-apart pierced holes therein, and an indicator element carried by the display element and including a peg receivable in the holes, the holes being defined by annular flanges about the periphery thereof, being integral with the said outer wall and being engageable with the surfaces of the peg for removably securing it in the item line element.
 20. An information displaying device according to claim 19 wherein the flanges surrounding the peg holes are constituted by substantially all of the material of the wall previously occupying the plane of the wall, the holes being pierced without removing any substantial quantity of the material from the said wall.
 21. An information displaying device according to claim 20 wherein the means for resiliently urging the display element toward the other retaining member comprises a spring member carried by the said corresponding end of the display element and adapted resiliently to engage the said one retaining member when the display element is received between the retaining members. 